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Search for and Protection of Astronomical Sites in Developing Countries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2016

François R. Querci  and
Monique Querci
François R. Querci
Affiliation:
Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, 14 Av. E. Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France e-mail: querci@obs-mip.fr
Monique Querci
Affiliation:
Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, 14 Av. E. Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France e-mail: querci@obs-mip.fr

Abstract

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The archives of meteorological satellites allow pre-selection of dry sites well adapted to astronomical observations (in the visible, infrared and millimetric ranges). The GSM (Grating Scale Monitor) technique then permits qualification of them as sites for future astronomical observatories. Such sites are found in new astronomical countries or in developing countries. At the same time, their protection from light pollution and/or radio interference has to be secured. In practice, once pre-selections are made, the governments of these countries ought to be alerted, for example by the IAU and/or the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. The local site testing through GSM should be carried out in cooperation with scientists of these countries under the umbrella of the IAU. This could be an approach to help introduce astronomy and astrophysics into developing countries.

Type
Part 2. Threats to Optical Astronomy
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 196: Preserving the Astronomical Sky , 2001 , pp. 170 - 172
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2001 

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